Guards Badge.

[medals73]

Another variety (?). It looks like the screwpost has been shortened. The screwnut is a Soviet-style silver back-plate, probably a replacement (but a curious one).

[CtahhR]

The soviet style screwplate is simply one taken from an Order, For some strange reason you can buy them by the gross, but you can't get your hands on the original type screwback for these very easily.

I also have one of this variation guards badges in the collection along with at least one other variation that I haven't got round to updating in the guide yet.

Just as a "guide" to price I paid under $3 for my similar badge (without a screwplate) but if I wanted a fitting soviet style one to put on it I could most likely get the screwplate (or even a dozen of them) added to a package of incoming for a few cents a piece although I usually get them sent for free. The soviet style screwplate will by no means fit all guards badges or for that matter all orders as there are over 6 screw sizes that I've come across so far. From the rather tiny to the quite bold.

[CtahhR]

Here is the second type of the Guards Badge. It is a different shape to later types as it is far more curved in the centre. This piece is numbered in the 6150-6200 serial range which may not be a serial but more likely the number of the unit.

[CtahhR]

Here is the third variation of the third type as already seen in the other Guards Badge thread. This is another item from the soil. It really looks like the person who finished constructing it could have benefited from some "Field Guidance". There is more solder on it than in a Mobile Phone!

[CtahhR]

Looks like the Guards Badge has vanished.

Kim Jong-Un's first official "field guidance" appearance was to the 105th Seoul Ryu Kyong-su Guards Tank Division on 1st January 2012 (The first day of Juche 101 so in Korean 1010101)

Not a single badge to be seen!

[Esteban_cool]

By now, it must be no longer awarded and therefore its use oficially discontinued. All Guards badges I´ve seen for sale are old, with patina, and I haven´t seen later, low-quality versions yet.

[CtahhR]

Other that the 4th Infantry Division and the 105th Armoured Division I can't recall any other Guards divisions although something may have slipped my mind. The Guards units were created primarily in the quick dash south on the road to Pusan. Both the 4th and 105th Division are "Seoul" Divisions.

The 105th had around 3000 personnel and c78 T-34s provided by their Soviet ally. Unfortunately with United Nations air superiority they didn't do too well. By 1951 they were pretty much an "armoured division" on paper only.

In this first picture from July 1950 what seems to be tank #22 and second T-34 are out of action.
The second picture shows another destroyed T-34 in mid-late 1950.
The third picture shows tank #424 which was destroyed 20th July 1950.
This fourth picture is T-34 #2?? from October 1950.
The fifth picture are a pair of T-34s knocked out by 3.5 inch rocket launchers.
The sixth picture is another taken out T-34 from September 1950.

[CtahhR]

Here is another Type 4 Variation 1. It makes it very easy to date when the recipient has engraved the year on the reverse (1977).

[88d]

My guards badge with a little repair in the top blue corner (Don't worry it was using modelling acrylic paint and varnish so it can be safely removed without affecting the original enamel) Horrible soldering job on the back and a very faint number 19##

[CtahhR]

I really don't understand the overuse of solder on so many of these earlier awards, considering the later extreme rationalisation.

It would be interesting to find out just how these were produced.

Is the "19##" number likely a year?